DCLM Sincere Milk 3 July 2022 — Beware of covetousness
DCLM Sincere Milk 3 July 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Beware of covetousness
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TOPIC: BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS
TEXT: LUKE 12:15-21
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Key Verse: “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
MESSAGE:
Covetousness is a selfish desire and thirst for more things than we actually need. A covetous child will always cry for more food even when he is filled up. He will desire to have another child’s type of toys, shoes or clothes, even if he has all those things in abundance.
An example of a covetous person in the Bible is one man named Gehazi. He was supposed to be a prophet in training under Prophet Elisha. He lost the opportunity of becoming a prophet because of covetousness.
God had used his master Elisha to bring about healing to a stranger named Naaman. To show gratitude to the man of God, Naaman offered him beautiful gifts. The man of God rejected those gifts and asked Naaman to go. Elisha wanted him to show appreciation to God alone.
Now, Gehazi thought his master was foolish. He ran after Naaman, told lies to him, and collected the gifts that his master rejected. He did not know that God had revealed what he did to Elisha. Therefore, the leprosy that was removed from Naaman came upon Gehazi. It was a serious punishment which he suffered throughout his life.
Covetousness is dangerous and has serious consequences. This is the reason Christ warns His disciples and all His friends to beware of covetousness. What is the cure? Become born again through repentance and turning away from all sin. Desire and pray for a holy heart. Be satisfied with whatever your parents/guardians can afford to give you.
Prayer: Lord, I surrender all unto You. Give me the desire to seek after righteousness.
Further Reading: Ephesians 5:1-3
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
